Project: Refinish Wood Flooring01/15/11
It took a day longer than originally quoted, but the result was worth it!Neighbor in Baltimore, MD

Project: Refinish Wood Flooring11/11/10
Very professional, on time, clean, friendly, gave good advice, we'll use him again and we'll recommend him.Neighbor in Baltimore, MD

Project: Refinish Wood Flooring11/02/10
Floors look like they are brand new! Very professional organization. Would highly recommend. Excellent.Beverly H. in Essex, MD

Project: Refinish Wood Flooring10/25/10
They were very honest, professional and the work was well done and in the time frame the said they would do it. And the price was also reasonable. What else can u ask for. I would highly recomend Signature Hardwood Floors to anyone.Brandon P. in Baltimore, MD

Project: Refinish Wood Flooring10/20/10
I had 2 rooms and a foyer that needed the hardwood refinished and repaired. They finished the job in 1 day and in the timeframe I wanted it finished. The price was reasonable and the work very professionally done...Helen E. in Baltimore, MD

Project: Wood Flooring - Install or Completely Replace - For Business07/23/10
We were very satisfied with his service.Neighbor

Dear Danny, and the folks at Signature, My husband and I were very pleased with the work that was completed in our home. We purchased our home that was already built, and had previous owners. We wanted some changes in our kitchen, and they did an amazing job...
Randi Schleider

Awesome Company!!! We love our new flooring. It exceeded our expectations! I have found it is easy to clean and keep looking good. We really felt like Danny was knowledgeable and helpful. We were most impressed that we always received a prompt phone call when we had any questions...
Kim Zuckerman

We were extremely happy with the work done by Signature floors. There were separate teams working on refinishing our old floors and laying down new floor. The result was seamless. You cannot tell which floor is 25 years old and which floor is brand new...
Laurie Engelhardt

Our home, built in the mid 1980s, had the then-fashionable light pickled oak hardwood flooring in our living room. We decided we wanted to go with a more modern darker oak finish and we called Signature Hardwood. Owner Dan Riter arrived on time and told us specifically what to expect in terms of the...
Gary Frahm

NOT your typical contractor. Always punctual from the first meeting to the last day of the job. Workers were clean, conscientious and polite. The owner had great ideas, glad I listened, he knows his flooring. The job surpassed my expectations. Will be using them again, soon.
Mary Michel

We are exceptionally pleased with the whole experience of having our floor refinished by Signature Hardwood Floors, Inc. The company owner came out to our home at a convenient time for us to assess our needs and gave us a reasonable quote for the job...
Patty Antreasian

Posts Tagged ‘hardwood floor maintenence’

In the winter, hardwood floors are more vulnerable to damage than during any other season. They take a greater beating due to people bringing in the outdoor elements when they enter your house. Ice and slush can seep into cracks, forming scratches in the coating, and rock salt, that’s spread outside to prevent ice, only worsen the problem. In extreme cases, the floors can ever warp over time, creating a health hazard to unsuspecting walkers.

The snow and ice that people track inside are hard to avoid. Even leaving all affected clothing at the door can present an issue, as the water and affiliated melting agents will sit in the same area for hours at a time and eat away at the varnish instead of spreading out and evaporating more quickly. Even more difficult to avoid is the humidity of the season. Since the outside is cold and people prefer warmer insides, the fluctuating state of temperatures makes the wood fluctuate, as well. Because of the constant small changes, the rigid varnish in hardwood can’t keep up and will start to form cracks that start out as imperceptible. These grow bigger with wear and before most people realize it, the varnish has very noticeable holes that can allow the wood to be damaged quite easily.

It’s no secret that dirt and dust can make any type of surface look messy, but when it comes to wood, it can be really harmful. Read on to learn some facts about dirt’s impact on hardwood floors, and ways to prevent any harm.

What is dirt and dust even made of?

This is a complex question, as they both can be made up of a number of elements. Homes are filled with so many substances that can break down and be pushed around, turning into dirt and dust particles.

The most common sources of dirt are pets, open windows/doors, and shoes. Dirt is transferred to wood floors when it sticks to our shoes or socks, or becomes airborne. Food can also be a source of dirt, and whenever it is spilled, pieces are left behind and get broken down into particles that are then carried around the house.

Human and pet hair, as well as skin are constantly shedding, breaking down to small particles that float around the house, landing on wood floors and becoming dust.

How can this damage my wood floors?

Discoloration is a way dirt and dust can damage your floors. Traffic in a room can break down the elements that make it stick to the floor. It can then make its way into small cracks of the wood, and cause discoloration which is hard to remove without refinishing.

Dirt and dust can also cause scratches in your floors. If a food comes in contact with a particle on the floor, it can damage the wood. The scratches leave wood vulnerable to water, leading to swelling. It can also lead to discoloration.

How can I prevent this?

Reduction. If you reduce the amount that is brought into your home, you will see a lot less damage. By removing shoes before walking on the wood floors, you are preventing any elements from being tracked from the shoe to the floor. Regularly cleaning the entryways, vacuuming carpets, putting a rug by the doors, and keeping your windows/doors closed will also prevent damage.

Dirt and dust will always make its way into your home somehow, so ensuring that you are regularly cleaning around your home is the major way to prevent wood floor damage. If you spill food or water, blot it up as fast as possible before it can seep into the crevices of your wood floor.

Learn more about these issues and how to address them by contacting the flooring experts at Signature Hardwood Floors. You can call us at 410.415.0755 or click heretoday! You can also follow us onFacebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Wood floors that are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time can fade over the years. The intense ultraviolet (UV) light bleaches the wood while the infrared (IR) rays heat it, which combine to accelerate fading. So how can you prevent this from happening to your wood floors? Learn how in this week’s blog on protecting your wood floors from fading.